People

SW: In some sense, the transition has been tough because I applied in the third round and everything happened really quickly. I got my acceptance call on May 17th, and from that point had three months to get everything ready to move to Chicago. So, it was definitely a busy few months preparing for Booth and preparing for my last few events on tour. However, I couldn’t have asked for a better send off to my professional golf career - playing in the Women’s British Open in St. Andrews about 20 minutes from where I learned to play. All my friends and family were there to enjoy that last week. It was a nice ending to my four years on tour.

JC: What are the parallels between being a professional athlete and a business school student?

SW: I think time management is key. With both lifestyles, there are lots of responsibilities and people pulling you in different directions. In the tour, you are trying to prepare for each event, but you also have sponsor commitments and different roles within the Ladies European Tour. In business school, time management is key because there are so many opportunities. FOMO is definitely a real thing. In your head, you are constantly thinking, “that will be the one thing everyone’s talking about,” and before you know it, you are booked from 8am to 8pm every day.

JC: What is your #WhyBooth moment?

SW: I wanted to come here because of the people - my classmates are truly incredible people, and so supportive and friendly. Coming from my background, I’m utilizing my classmates as much as possible and everyone has been so helpful and they make me feel like no question is a silly question. My notebook of business terminology is filling up quickly... So, my #WhyBooth moments occur on a daily basis when people around me do something to help me that they don’t have to do. It is a reminder of the reason why I came here - the people!

Charles Cole (Class of 2019)Hometown: Gary, Indiana

JC: How is living in Hyde Park?

CC: Living in Hyde Park has been great for a few reasons. It’s a beautiful neighborhood to live in and walk around and, especially since it’s been warm this fall, I’ve really enjoyed all of the green space. Additionally, it’s great being so close to the school and being able to roll out of bed and still make it to class on time. I’ve also enjoyed meeting my classmates who live in Hyde Park. A lot of the first years who live in Hyde Park are interested in giving back to the Chicago community and we’ve found a lot of common interests. Its nice to part of a little community within the larger Booth community.

JC: How has it been transitioning to business school while preparing to be a new father?

CC: My wife is due to have our first child next month. So, in many ways this is the calm before the storm. It’s certainly a unique way to start off business school and I am spending a lot of time putting together baby furniture and buying baby clothes after class. Experiencing this life changing event in business school has and will be great. I have also enjoyed talking to other Boothie parents - they have been really supportive.

JC: What has been your #WhyBooth moment?

CC: I really enjoyed the high ropes course at LOR. The activity “High Commitment,” where two people stand together on opposite tight ropes and try to shimmy from one tree to another, was something I was absolutely terrified to do. But, having another person willing to do it with me helped me get out of my comfort zone and give it a shot. We didn’t make it very far.... While we didn’t successfully cross from one tree to the other, I did successfully face one of my fears with a fellow Boothie. I’m hoping to have more experiences where I get out of my comfort zone and go for things even if I’m unsure of the outcome.

Chicago Business is the Booth newspaper and online news source. Entirely student-run and published every two weeks, the paper is the "voice of the students." The publication updates students and alumni on all the latest Booth life, news, and humor.